Sunday, March 28, 2010

Maple Street Press' 2010 Mets Annual not something to fear

It is, quite possibly, the most frightening thing I’ve seen – at least since we pulled out that Rusty Staub Hostess card a couple months ago.

Right there on pages 42 and 43 of the Maple Street Press’ 2010 Mets Annual is a chart showing the 2009 season day-by-day, depicting in blood red the days each player spent on the disabled list.

There’s more blood red on those pages than in your typical Jason movie, and by July the Mets season was just as predictable.

Movie: Camp counselors go off for nookie, Jason arrives, carnage.

Season: Mets player steps on field, carnage.

Luckily the 2010 Mets Annual is a lot more than a recap, because here’s where the Mets and Jason part ways – and I don’t mean the new acquisition, Jason Bay. There were about a dozen Jason flics, and I never want to see a sequel to the Mets 2009 disaster.

Full disclosure here. I’m partial to Jason Fry’s stunningly awesome look at a dozen Mets bloggers. Mostly – but not entirely -- because I’m one of the dozen writers Jason profiled.

Hmmm, another Jason, but this one wears a Mets cap instead of a hockey mask.

Speaking of Greg, he offers a look at the near-glorious 2000 team that went all the way to the World Series. Hard to believe it’s been a decade since we started waking up in a cold sweat yelling, “Run, Timo, you knucklehead,” and “Watch out, Mikey! Clemens is homicidal!”

Jason Vorhees, not Jason Bay. Or is it Roger Clemens?

Greg’s book “Faith and Fear in Flushing” was published last season, and fellow authors Matthew Silverman and Jon Springer also are represented in the Annual.

The Annual isn’t quite a book, and it’s sturdier than a magazine. Plus, it’s packed with resource material like stats and schedules, something I will refer to throughout the season.

I like how there are also extensive sections on the minor leagues, so if Jason reappears and assorted Mets end up on the disabled list, we can be familiar with the guys who might come up from the farm to take their places.